Our Instruments

Instruments Introduction

K.C. Strings has one of the largest selection of string instruments in the Midwest. We are pleased to feature the KRUTZ line of instruments. They are the only American maker of professional level violins, viola, cellos and basses. They have developed four lines of instruments with each group building upon the features of the group before it.

These instruments' superior value meets the needs of students, amateur players and professionals. We feel that these instruments offer the best performance for the cost at every price level. You can find more information on KRUTZ instruments at KrutzStrings.com.

K.C. Strings would love to help you personally choose the instrument you want. Please call or email us so that we can guide you in the process of finding an instrument with the appearance and tonal character that you are looking for. And remember, we take trade-ins!

We can help you get more out of your instrument so you can express more of yourself.

Full size instruments purchased at K.C. Strings come with a 100% trade-in toward future instrument upgrades. We have one of the largest selections of instruments in the Midwest. So select the instrument in your price range and easily upgrade anytime.

We want you to know that we don't just sell instruments. We build relationships.

KRUTZ Instruments

KRUTZ Series instruments raise the bar for student level instruments. They are carefully constructed to our specifications in our affiliated shop in Beijing and all set-up in our Kansas City workshop. KRUTZ craftsmen travel there regularly to control quality. This ensures a fine appearance, warm sound and easy playability, even in fractional sizes. Upon arrival at our Kansas City workshop, they are given a professional set-up by our craftsmen. KRUTZ Series instruments produce a higher tonal quality at a more competitive price.

KRUTZ Artisan 700 instruments are partially crafted in our affiliated private shop in Beijing from Asian wood and the Artisan 750 instruments are partially crafted at our affiliated private shop in Romania from European wood. These instruments are shipped to our Kansas City workshop rough and unfinished, where professional craftsmen do extensive finish work on them. The instruments are graduated, fitted with an advanced bassbar and varnished. KRUTZ Artisan have greater projection and tonal resonance, suitable for advancing students and amateur adult players.

KRUTZ Avant instruments are crafted entirely in our Kansas City workshop by senior luthiers, many of whom learned the art of string instrument construction in Europe. All aspects of the making process are overseen by Anton Krutz. We hand select every single piece of European and American maple and spruce used to make these instruments. The wood is then aged for five to ten years before the instrument crafting begins. Anton's own proprietary sealer and varnish are used. These instruments are then given a professional set-up by the craftsmen in our shop. KRUTZ Avant instruments utilize fully professional materials and precise specifications, which give them the strong sound and tonal flexibility desired by advanced students and rising professionals.

Anton Krutz signature instruments are crafted by Master Luthier Anton Krutz, bringing together the best in materials, design and construction. Beginning with his selection of acoustically vibrant curly maple and spruce from carefully aged stock, his craftsmanship includes precise arching and graduations, and a unique mineral ground and varnish treatment that gives each instrument its timbre and Bel Canto voice, similar to that of the fine Italian masters. Anton Krutz signature instruments are meticulously crafted to create the powerful, expressive sound sought by soloists and professional ensemble players throughout the U.S. and Europe.

K.C. Strings take seriously a commitment to customer satisfaction. Our knowledgeable staff strives to educate clients about all aspects of instrument construction, selection and care. We hope to be of service to you.

Please inquire if you have something already in mind.

Why a student instrument from K.C. Strings is a better value

"The most important aspect to buying a student instrument is where you are buying it." You have to get instruments from a "Violin shop" that has a many years longstanding reputation, references and trade-in policy. K.C. Strings has all three.

Our shop has been featured in every major Kansas City newspaper and news channel.

Our many years in business lets you know the instruments we sell are high quality at good prices because professional musicians and their students are our clientele.

Our selection of upper level instruments and the ability to trade-up to them is an even more important consideration than the initial student instrument purchase.

Many music stores (that sell kazoos to drums) and dubious internet sites that sell string instruments are risky. We've seen many people waste their money on these outlets. Because there are dozens of factories throughout the world, each produces different grades of instrument according to their own individual standards.

Therefore there is no way to do comparison shopping because the instrument's quality cannot be determined by looking at its description and pictures. Also, unlike brass or woodwinds, string instruments are not set up and ready to play at the factory. Unprofessional set up at the store they were first shipped to can make an instrument practically unplayable and can cost hundreds of dollars to be redone.

The knowledgeable experts at K.C. Strings make sure there are high standards of quality for all our instruments. Top all that with the realization that you may be stuck with your instrument purchased somewhere else when it comes time to upgrade and it becomes clear why "The most important aspect to buying a student instrument is where you are buying it."

K.C. Strings Online Trade-in Policy

An instrument trade-in amount can only cover up to 30% of the new instrument purchase price.

b) Give a written description within the email of any damage that is known and/or visible.

c) Give us an estimated value of what you would like as a trade-in amount.

We will email you back the estimated amount we will offer for the trade-in along with a confirmation number.

Select a new instrument you would like to purchase online.

After the new instrument is purchased it will be delivered to you along with a return FedEx label. Then you can mail your trade-in instrument back to K.C.Strings in the same box.

Once K.C. Strings receives your instrument, we will confirm your instrument's value based on the physical condition matching your pictures and description. Then, K.C. Strings will refund the trade-in amount on the credit card used to purchase the new instrument online.

Anton Krutz - Cornered Bass
Anton Krutz signature instruments are crafted by Master Luthier Anton Krutz, bringing together the best in materials, design and construction. Beginning with his selection of acoustically...

Anton Krutz Cellos
Anton Krutz signature instruments are crafted by Master Luthier Anton Krutz, bringing together the best in materials, design and construction. Beginning with his selection of acoustically vibrant...

Anton Krutz signature instruments are crafted by Master Luthier Anton Krutz, bringing together the best in materials, design and construction. Beginning with his selection of acoustically vibrant curly maple and spruce from...

KRUTZ Series 100 Plywood Bass KRUTZ Series instruments raise the bar for student level instruments. They are carefully constructed to our specifications in our affiliated shop in Beijing and all set-up in our Kansas City...

KRUTZ Series 100 Cellos KRUTZ Series instruments raise the bar for student level instruments. They are carefully constructed to our specifications in our affiliated shop in Beijing and all set-up in our Kansas City...

KRUTZ Series 100 Violas (16.5"-14")
KRUTZ Series instruments raise the bar for student level instruments. They are carefully constructed to our specifications in our affiliated shop in Beijing and all set-up in our...

KRUTZ Series 100 Violins
KRUTZ Series instruments raise the bar for student level instruments. They are carefully constructed to our specifications in our affiliated shop in Beijing and all set-up in our Kansas City...

5Star Premier A great entry to the world of five-string instruments, the premiere also offers unexpected performance for the price. The body is the same size as a violin, with internal changes to make it function well as a...

KRUTZ Avant - Series 800 Cellos KRUTZ Avant instruments are crafted entirely in our Kansas City workshop by senior luthiers, many of whom learned the art of string instrument construction in Europe. All aspects of the making...

KRUTZ Avant 800 Violas KRUTZ Avant instruments are crafted entirely in our Kansas City workshop by senior luthiers, many of whom learned the art of string instrument construction in Europe. All aspects of the making...

Anton Krutz - Gamba Bass:
Anton Krutz signature instruments are crafted by Master Luthier Anton Krutz, bringing together the best in materials, design and construction. Beginning with his selection of acoustically...

Anton Krutz signature instruments are crafted by Master Luthier Anton Krutz, bringing together the best in materials, design and construction. Beginning with his selection of acoustically vibrant curly maple and spruce from...

KRUTZ Series 200 Hybrid Bass KRUTZ Series instruments raise the bar for student level instruments. They are carefully constructed to our specifications in our affiliated shop in Beijing and all set-up in our Kansas City...

KRUTZ Series 200 Cellos KRUTZ Series instruments raise the bar for student level instruments. They are carefully constructed to our specifications in our affiliated shop in Beijing and all set-up in our Kansas City workshop...

KRUTZ Series 200 Violas (17"-14") KRUTZ Series instruments raise the bar for student level instruments. They are carefully constructed to our specifications in our affiliated shop in Beijing and all set-up in our Kansas...

KRUTZ Series 200 Violins
Series instruments raise the bar for student level instruments. They are carefully constructed to our specifications in our affiliated shop in Beijing and all set-up in our Kansas City workshop...

5Star Performer The 5Star Performer is aptly named. It provides a great deal of performance in a small package. It's built on a small viola body, with a 5-string neck. The sound is a lot more than one would expect from...